by Joshua Hook | Aug 8, 2018 | Conflict
When you are trying to work out a conflict with someone, it is helpful to ask yourself 2 questions. These questions focus on identifying and resolving the underlying needs that are fueling the conflict. Let me explain a bit more about what I mean: Usually when we have...
by Joshua Hook | Jul 25, 2018 | Love
I recently watched the Mr. Rogers documentary. In addition to bringing back fond memories of my childhood, I was struck by how clearly Mr. Rogers tapped into our deepest need as human beings: the need to be loved just as we are. Mr. Rogers’ Purpose When asked about...
by Joshua Hook | Jul 13, 2018 | Love
I like to evaluate my actions or behaviors through the lens of whether or not they are consistent with loving God and loving others. Loving Others I think I have a pretty good idea of what it means to love others. Loving others is difficult to do in practice. But I...
by Joshua Hook | Apr 18, 2018 | Helping
A common dilemma in life is how to help without enabling. Here’s what I mean: It’s natural to want to help others who are in need. We all need help sometimes, and it’s important to use our time, money, and resources to help people who are struggling. Also, if you...
by Joshua Hook | Mar 23, 2018 | Love
I read a book once in which the author said we should interpret the Bible through the lens of the Greatest Commandment. The Greatest Commandment If you aren’t familiar with the greatest commandment, there is a passage in the Bible where a religious teacher asked...
by Joshua Hook | Feb 22, 2018 | Conflict
Historically, Christians haven’t been good at working out their differences in community. Instead, the more common scenario is that a church or denomination disagrees over a particular issue, people pick sides, and the church or denomination splits. I think we could...
by Joshua Hook | Feb 13, 2018 | Relationships
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I want to talk to you about a simple rule that can help you have a better marriage or dating relationship. But before I tell you the rule, I want to share a bit about how it came about. John Gottman and the Love Lab A professor named...
by Joshua Hook | Feb 9, 2018 | Humility
In our society, the economy is really important. If you have money in the stock market, you know what I’m talking about. This past week, there has been a lot of anxiety and fear about the stock market going down. Is everything okay? Is this just a normal...
by Joshua Hook | Feb 2, 2018 | Love
It can be life-changing to show love to others through our touch and physical presence. The Tendency to Avoid Physical Contact We have a tendency in our society today to avoid physical contact with anyone or anything we consider "unclean." I see this avoidance of...
by Joshua Hook | Jan 27, 2018 | Grace
There’s a story about Jesus in the book of Luke that I absolutely love. The story begins with a Pharisee (a religious leader) named Simon inviting Jesus over for dinner. They are reclining at his table, when a “sinful woman” (probably a prostitute) comes...
